News Herald office reopens to the public Monday

The way customers interact with companies has changed. Most transactions and communication are done via email, online or over the phone.

So when a decision was made to close the News Herald’s office to the public last fall, it was done knowing the vast majority of communication doesn’t happen face-to-face anymore.

But there’s something about that in-person customer interaction that people still enjoy. It’s why banks still have branches with tellers. It’s why the post office still has offices with clerks. And it’s why the News Herald is reopening its doors to the public starting on Monday.

The local newspaper, whether in-print or online, is still the fabric of the community. And although our staff still worked at the office, we were missing that human element that you get when someone can open the doors of a physical building and talk to a person. We get it. Our readers get it. You spoke and we listened.

The public can once again come in and buy a paper, place an advertisement, purchase a subscription or make a payment for your current one. You can come in and give us a tip for a news story, or just stop in and say hello after you grab a drink across the street at Coffee Express.

We strongly believe in having a local presence in the community and this is just one more way we are reinforcing our investment in keeping the local paper, well, ... local.

Is our building for sale? Yes. Does that mean we’re leaving Port Clinton or closing down? No. As many companies are doing, we are looking to get out of the real estate business while still staying in the Port Clinton area.

Our readers are going mobile and demand quick updates from our staff. We don’t spend as much time at a desk anymore and would prefer a smaller building with more suitable office space still in the Port Clinton (preferably downtown) area to keep our local storefront presence a staple in the community.

Our business hours will be 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. We will only accept payments by credit card or check (although you can buy a paper with exact change).

Please feel free to stop into the office and say hello to a couple familiar faces that are returning to the Port Clinton office as well as some new ones that you may or may not have already seen in the community.

Rest assured, the Port Clinton News Herald will continue to be your local, factual and professional news source. We strive to serve our readers better and welcome your feedback.

Keep a look out for more to come from the News Herald and PortClintonNewsHerald.com.

Port Clinton resident Tracey Elson is the advertising territory sales manager for the News Herald. She can be reached at 419-334-1012 or TElson@gannett.com.